NI firms sign charter pledging to protect women’s safety at night

A number of businesses have pledged to protect women’s safety at night by signing a new charter.

Hospitality Ulster has collaborated with women’s charity White Ribbon NI to launch and support the rollout of the Women’s Night Safety Charter.

The charter, created by London Night Czar Amy Lame, is now operating across many parts of the UK and is applicable to everyone involved in the evening economy in Northern Ireland.

The initiative comes as part of the End Violence Against Women And Girls campaign.

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Associated businesses committed to a number of pledges, including nominating a champion in their organisation to actively promote women’s night safety and to demonstrate to staff and customers that their organisation took women’s safety at night seriously.

Joel Neill, operations director at Hospitality Ulster, said Northern Ireland was “a very safe place to live, work and play”, but that women’s safety was an ongoing concern.

“Too many women when travelling, working, or going out at night feel unsafe,” he said.

“This is why, through the Women’s Night Safety Charter, we are taking steps to prioritise and ensure the safety of women and girls.

“There is a long way to go, but the charter is a significant step in ensuring women feel protected when they are walking home from work, enjoying a night out in our great pubs, bars, and restaurants, or indeed working in them.

“At Hospitality Ulster, we envision a Northern Ireland in which women and girls are free from violence, and the threat of it.

“This should mean women heading out for the night knowing they are going to have a great time and get home safe.

“Signing up to the NI Women’s Night Safety Charter and implementing its seven pledges is an important first step to make this vision a reality.”

The charter also invites organisations to tell customers and staff what to do if they experience harassment when working, going out or travelling and encourage reporting by victims and bystanders.

Tahnee McCorry, founder and chief executive of White Ribbon NI, said violence against women “in all its forms is completely unacceptable”.

“Workplaces, hospitality venues and all night-time economy businesses have a huge role to play in challenging behaviour, attitudes, raising awareness and ultimately guaranteeing that women feel safe and protected,” she said.

“Along with the charter, our Listen, Learn, Lead toolkit also gives businesses some tangible actions to implement, helping venues to become a safer place for women whether that is through staff training or a communications campaign.”

Hospitality Ulster had already engaged key public sector stakeholders in the evening economy, with several local councils plus Translink and Tourism NI having already signed the charter.

As part of The Executive Office’s End Violence Against Women And Girls Foundational Action Plan, Hospitality Ulster have partnered with the PSNI among others to co-ordinate a range of initiatives, including the rollout of the Woman’s Night Safety Charter.